To propose a solution to care using over 55 developments

[Caffeineislife]

After reading and also seeing the struggle for elderly care it is obvious that the current model is not working. Its creaking under demand and needs a full overhaul that needs to come from government level.

I would like to propose a possible solution using the sheer amount of over 55 developments that seem to be springing up everywhere. I'm sure it will not be popular with the developers but might prove popular. It would also help reduce the travel of carers so would mean better conditions for them.

What if we made over 55 developments like mini care facilities. So all the flats/ apartments in them are self contained with all the facilities to live independently. They all have accessible showers/ baths wet rooms in them, kitchens, living rooms etc in them that they have now so no real change for the developers. But on top floor/ in the grounds there is a care office. So think wardens at night and in the day that can be contacted via a phone/ push button. A carer base, where the carers are based who provide care needed for the residents in the flats. This means carers only have 1 commute (to the development), they have the same residents and residents have the same carers, carers can walk between flats to each resident needing care reducing milage and times between clients. You wouldn't have to have care if you didn't need it as just like now you would have to pay/ be funded for it.

Meals could be done in the community room so residents who are mobile could socialise at meals if they wished. Ideally I would also have a small shop onsite so residents could shop for essentials if they were able to/ wished to. Just imagine there could be a Dr/ hairdresser/ chiropodist etc visit arranged in the community room - like in care homes where they come for a session and sees everyone who needs to be seen. Would relieve the burden on family who need to take elderly relatives to these appointments. Someone would need to organise this creating jobs.

Maybe it exists already, just not in my area. Thoughts?

I’d rather stay in my own home, thanks

Over 55? That’s 7 years away for me and I have a 3 year old…
is 55 classes as old then?

There are plenty round here. However, there’s a big scandal in that there are service charges for all this added care and facilities added on top. Once the resident dies, the family has to keep paying the monthly service charge, until the apartment is sold - this can take years!

Families can end up selling a flat, which cost £180,000 for £30,000:

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-10182583/The-retirement-home-scandal-wiping-life-savings.html

I wouldn’t touch this with a barge pole! (And we are in this age group)

WOW I do like the idea of carers based in the place. But I am 55 and still work full time as a consultant anaesthetist in a very busy NHS hospital. You may need to adjust the age range a little!!

Isn’t that a retirement village?

55 seems laughably young.

They exist. And they're very expensive to buy.

I think these do already exist?

You must be young OP? Most people 55-65 are still working and active!!! A lot still have kids at home!

They do exist. But 55 is 11/12 yrs off retirement age.

This already exists in some well-known chain developments.

We looked at one with my dad. Self contained flat, but with dining facilities if required, and ultimately in home care if necessary. It is very expensive and as others say, when it’s time to sell, there is often depreciation, there will generally be a % sale price to revert to management , and service fees continue to be payablE.

Plus, ultimately my dad thought it was too institutionalised for his needs.

But it’s not a bad idea for everyone, I think if the cost could be refined, or perhaps rather than purchase, there is an assured tenancy, for example, it may be a more attractive offer.

Oh, and the one we looked at was for over 60s . Even then , given that I am 61, it would absolutely be my idea of hell.

They exist but I think you're taking the p*ss somewhat if you expect 55yr olds to move into such facility! McCarthy Stone I New retirement properties for sale or rent (mccarthyandstone.co.uk)

Have you ever met a 55 year old? I'm 55, work full time, run 5k every Saturday, love nights out in London and am going to a karaoke night tonight! My parents live in a retirement village. It's lovely, I'm planning on moving there when I'm 80.

I don't think many 55year olds need that especially since we need to work until 67 but we should have a lot more of this available for older people who are still pretty capable with a small amount of support.

I know a man in his 50s who moved into one. It was a really good price for city centre living, super safe and future proofed him. He is genuinely not someone who is ageist and has made friendships there too. He made me consider my attitudes because his logic was sound.

Oh and about the care bit - that isn’t quite there but there are some flats who share a care package effectively and that
is working well. Many need no care at all.

This. They need to sort out the service charge and resell issue.

I think they'd be better as secure rentals and people keeping their previous home and renting it out (or investing) to cover the rent and service charge.

My aunt lived in one of these in Norfolk - although she was way over 55! Carers were on hand to pop in and she could have her main meal in a communal room but make other meals for herself. Can't see many 55 year olds wanting to move in though - unless they have a disability.

Yes, this sort of thing does exist, more or less. My mother was in a retirement flat where she was independent but they provided cleaning, and they provided lunches to people who wanted them. They had emergency alarm cords in each room and also supplied the ones that go around your neck, but they usually only had one person on call. There was also an independent hairdresser who came to the flats, and you could of course make your own arrangements for things like chiropodists to visit. If people needed more care, they could get this through the council or could make their own arrangements through outside companies. However, it was made clear that they could not provide the sort of care that people who are severely disabled or who have dementia would need, and when my mother reached that point she had to be moved to a care home.

As pointed out upthread, it was all pretty expensive even discounting what we paid for outside carers, and service charges continued when my mother was in hospital and after she moved to the care home until we could sell the flat. Unfortunately all of this coincided with lockdown so selling was delayed quite considerably. However, once we were able to sell, the flat did in fact sell quite quickly as there was a waiting list of people who wanted to move into that development.

I have mixed feelings about whether I would want to move into that sort of set up. It is all quite practical, but it was a bit soulless, and I'm just not sure that we could afford it anyway by the time we get to that age. If this is to be a solution to long term care, it would need heavy government subsidy.

They exist around where we live too.
The management company that bought the leasehold for the retirement flats my Mother lives in own a lot like you describe in England.
They thought they were going to turn the flats here into the same, only no one wants that hers are for over 60's. There are a few people who have carers coming in each day, but the majority are very independent.

Over 55 - you have to be joking. I will be 67 next week and my husband is 71 and we do not want to live in a retirement home. Not ever really unless it is really absolutely necessary, hopefully when we are both over 100.

How old are you by the way?

I’d do it at 70 if the r teas were free. They would cost about 6k a year otherwise. Can’t afford that.

Theres one for sale near me. 6k service fees. Been on the market for about 2 years now

They already exist
so what are you suggesting exactly?

Isn't that what used to be called sheltered housing?

And 55! I've still got a teenager at home.

55 is,ridiculous im.50/in a,few months with a 13 and 16 year old but you do see them advertised for over 55 .

My friend lives in one. The care is a bit hit and miss, from what I've heard.